SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks have signed captain Joe Thornton and franchise leading goal scorer Patrick Marleau to three-year contract extensions.

The deals signed Friday keep two of San Jose's most important players off the open market this summer and under contract with the Sharks through the 2016-17 season.

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ESPN first reported the deals that will pay Thornton an average of $6.75 million over the three years and Marleau $6.66 million.

Despite both being 34 years old, Thornton and Marleau are still playing at an elite level. Thornton leads the NHL with 47 assists and is sixth with 53 points. Marleau was picked for the Canadian Olympic team and has 21 goals and 26 assists this season.